Cutting Chinese reed »This is how the perfect pruning succeeds (Miscanthus)

When should I cut my Chinese reed?

The ideal time for cutting Chinese reeds is the time between the end of winter and the first shoot of new stalks, i.e. in spring. As a rule, this time has come in April, as Chinese reeds sprout relatively late.

Why shouldn't I cut Chinese reeds in autumn?

There are two reasons against cutting back Chinese silver in autumn. On the one hand, the reeds can be damaged; on the other hand, you miss the decorative sight of the frosted Chinese reeds in winter. If you live in a snowy area, you can tie the leaves and stalks together to protect them from snow breakage.

Cutting back in autumn is especially dangerous if it rains for a longer period of time, because rainwater can penetrate the hollow stalks. As a result, the reeds start to rot easily. If you do not notice this in time, the rot can spread to the roots.

Are there any special features when cutting Chinese reed?

The stalks and leaves of the Chinese silver grass are relatively hard, so you need a stable one Secateurs for pruning, preferably one with great leverage. Of course, the scissors should also be clean and well sharpened.

If you miss the ideal time for pruning, be extra careful with your work. Cut the old stalks one by one from the outside in, without damaging the young, freshly grown shoots. If the young shoots are still relatively short, you can alternatively cut off the old stalks in clusters above the young stalks.

Do I have to wear gloves when cutting?

The leaves of the Chinese silver grass are very sharp-edged and can cause painful cuts in the skin. In addition, the sap that escapes when cutting can trigger an allergic skin reaction in sensitive people. Therefore, you should definitely when pruning Gardening gloves wear.

Can I also prune the roots?

In principle, you can with all of them sorts Chinese reeds also prune the roots to avoid uncontrolled spreading of the reeds in the garden. However, since these may very deep Growing into the ground involves a lot of work. If you want to avoid the reeds spreading over a large area, it is better to start planting Root lock.

The essentials in brief:

• wear gardening gloves
• Best pruning in spring
• possibly think about dividing the plant right away
• do not cut fresh shoots